[Closed] Received my Christmas present today

It's not the lack of moving parts that bother me. It's the price. But for you and others that can tolerate and/or afford the price, I'm excited for you and glad the car is special for you.

I've no doubt it's a beautiful car.

It's true, they're very expensive, but I think that's due to the small quantity...

If you sell 1000 or 5000 like Danbury and Franklin used to, they're much cheaper to produce, per unit sold. In-fact, I suspect there's not a huge profit in selling just 250 models, even at $275 apiece, due to the design and tooling costs. Especially with the high degree of workmanship this model exhibits. I'm not made of money either, but I can justify it because I buy so few models these days--just one or two per year; three at most. Whereas back when Danbury and Franklin were cranking them out, I probably bought one per month on average. I will say this, however: The model is exquisite, and definitely worth the price considering it's quality and exclusivity. Remember, it's usually a model's rarity that drives up its price on the secondary market. Of course I don't look at these as an investment, but my collection has appreciated in value more than my actual investments have. I hope I never have to sell them, but I stand to make a decent profit if I do. I'm hoping one of my young nephews will want them when I'm gone, since they always seem to be fascinated by them when they visit.

Which brings us back to the an old conversation of a couple of years ago about buying these cars as an investment. I never have, and have never looked, or even thought about what they may be worth on the market. I will have them until I die, and then I could care less what becomes of them. They are merely an adult toy for my personal enjoyment while I'm here. It's my personal love and interest in old cars that has lured me in to buying them. Period.

It would indeed be ridiculous to buy these models as an investment...

Much like collecting artwork, one should always buy what they like irrespective of present or future value. But having bought and sold many of these models over the years while refining one's collection (particularly if space is a consideration), one comes to realize that some sell for less than the original price, and some sell for more. Many people try to maintain a rough idea of what their assets are worth, and once you've acquired 10 to 15 thousand dollars worth of these models, they're an asset whether you choose to think of them that way or not. To say you don't care what happens to them when you're gone is similar, if not equivalent, to saying you don't care what happens to your automobile. I have the utmost respect for your viewpoint, but personally I prefer to determine the disposition of my assets when I'm gone, as do most people, which is why we have wills. But the main point I was trying to make in my previous post, was to discuss the reasons for the high price of the new LECC. The mention of how my Diecast collection had appreciated more than my investments was merely an interesting side note, and not a justification for buying them.

Peter I totally understand your point. And believe me, when I'm gone from this life

I'd like nothing better than for my family to appreciate the cars as much as I have. But that is not being realistic, because they do not see the value in them and only see them as something I bought for my own enjoyment.

I'll point out too, that unlike you, I've never sold one of my models, nor do I ever intend to. Not saying there aren't a few cars that probably in hindsight, I'd not buy again or wish I hadn't bought at all, but I still will never sell them.

I'd be more inclined to "trade" a few of my cars that are now less desirable to me, with someone that has a car that I'd rather now have. In fact, I've often wished that the die-cast zone had a "traders page" where some of us that would rather trade then sell, could.

I envy you in a way, George...

I wish I could have kept every diecast I ever bought. There are several I regret selling, but unfortunately I've had to pare down the collection from time to time because I live in an apartment where space is limited. They already take up an entire wall in my living room, and I refused to keep them in their boxes, feeling they deserved to be seen and enjoyed. If I HAD kept them all, I'd probably have close to 200 models by now. As it is, I have a more manageable 100 give or take a few. There were a handful, however, that I really want to buy again if I can find good examples at a reasonable price. They include the D4C LECC '56 Continental convertible, the FM '61 Country Squire, the DM '53 Estate Wagon in Blue, and the DM '47 Estate Wagon, among others. I didn't appreciate until more recently how much the station wagons meant to me, having grown up with them. Anyway, I hope you get your wish for a trading site, and I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for those wagons. Happy holidays, and happy collecting!